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Is contributing to photography awards still valuable? For photographers seeking recognition in the competitive People & Lifestyle category, the answer is yes. We asked five People & Lifestyle judges of our Spotlight Awards what it takes to be recognised as a professional, how to stay up-to-date in a fast-changing industry, and what common mistakes photographers make when presenting their work. Keep in mind that these judges are not only reviewing work, they are also the kind of industry professionals who help decide which photographers get seen, considered and hired.
Thank you: Bruno Fonseca (Senior Art Director at Saatchi & Saatchi), Vignesh Sadhasivam (Senior Art Buyer at WPP Production), Fabiana Vardaro (Art Producer at HeimatTBWA\ and Art Buyer at WRPD MAGAZINE), Yoshihiro Kono (Senior Art Director at TBWA\HAKUHODO) and Nigel Barklie (Picture Researcher at The Times and Editor) for their valuable input as this year's judges. Check out the website for the profiles of the judges in the People & Lifestyle category of the Spotlight Awards.
How People & Lifestyle Photographers Can Get Seen by the Right Buyers
To get recognised by the right buyers, visibility is essential. By entering the Spotlight Awards, photographers place their work in front of art buyers, creative directors and editors from leading agencies, brands and publications, within a category that already matches their field. Being shortlisted or winning within that category can increase this visibility even further.
Bruno Fonseca: “Awards are one of the best ways to discover photographers, as they’re organised by category, making it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.” He adds: “Award-winning photography often represents the highest standard in the field and can set trends for years to come. It’s also a great way to appreciate the art form and discover new techniques being explored.”
As ideal as this sounds, not every image will create the same level of impact. Judge Fabiana Vardaro points out a common mistake: “One common mistake is not tailoring their portfolio. Sending a generic selection rather than a curated, project-specific portfolio can weaken their impact.” This is useful to keep in mind when choosing an image for your Spotlight Awards submission: select work that feels intentional, relevant to the category and aligned with the kind of briefs you want to attract.
Things that Make an Image Feel Fresh, Authentic and Attention-Grabbing
A photographer can help shape new visual trends, not just follow them. Staying relevant is one of the most valuable, but also most difficult challenges photographers face today. In People & Lifestyle photography, the strongest images feel fresh, authentic and emotionally real. Especially in an industry where AI, polished perfection, and fast-changing visual styles are constantly shifting expectations of audiences. This does not mean that AI is the better option, judge Yoshihiro Kono states: “I feel that commercial photography now needs more artistry and a stronger personal point of view than ever before, especially because of the rise of AI. As images become easier to generate, a photographer’s unique style, taste, and interpretation become even more valuable.”
And how does a photographer prove their originality? Bruno Fonseca has the answer: “In the era of AI, there’s a growing scepticism about whether images are real or generated. In response, I’m seeing more photographers share behind-the-scenes content on social media. This creates a sense of transparency and sparks curiosity among enthusiasts like myself, who want to understand how these images are made.”
In commercial photography, Vignesh Sadhasivam shares current trends: “There’s a clear shift toward authenticity and less polished, more natural storytelling. Mixed media approaches, including subtle AI integration and post-production experimentation, are also becoming more common. At the same time, brands are leaning into culturally relevant and locally nuanced visuals rather than generic global imagery.” Fabiana also shares: “There is a shift toward a more documentary, realistic approach: moving away from overly polished, ‘clean’ advertising aesthetics.”
For a Spotlight Awards submission, this means choosing work that feels personal, intentional and alive, not just technically polished. The strongest images should show a clear human point of view, whether through the story, the casting, the light, the setting or the way the moment is captured (or a combination of these factors).
How to Create a Spotlight Awards Entry That Stands Out
The Spotlight Awards receive loads of submissions every day, for every category. Within People & Lifestyle, the number of entries is especially high. To know how to stand out to the judges for this category is therefore particularly important. There are some qualities this year’s judges find most important, Nigel Barklie shares: “Happily spotting the most fantastic competition picture is instinctive. Something about the light and composition talks to our soul.”
Vignesh Sadhavisam shares an essential People & Lifestyle photographers need to work with: “Clarity of concept and storytelling stand out immediately. Images that communicate a clear idea without explanation, paired with strong composition and lighting, tend to hold attention.” He also tells how an image gets singled out: "Originality comes from perspective rather than just subject matter. Work that feels intentional, with a distinct point of view and thoughtful execution, stands out more than technically perfect but predictable imagery.”
Try not to let your images get lost in all the entries. Our People & Lifestyle judges have shared some common mistakes photographers make. Vignesh tells: “Over-editing and inconsistent portfolios are common issues. Sometimes strong images are diluted by weaker ones, or the work lacks clear direction, making it harder to understand the photographer’s strengths.”
One mistake photographers make when entering the Spotlight Awards is submitting work that simply fits the category without going beyond the brief. As Yoshihiro Kono puts it: “When I commission a photographer, I first look for someone whose style and perspective fit the theme of the visual. I don’t simply expect them to reproduce my draft image. I expect them to elevate it.”
To make your submission stand out, it's essential to showcase images that reflect your unique perspective, intentionality, and emotional depth. With clarity of concept, strong composition, and a distinct point of view, your work will resonate more with the judges and ensure it doesn’t get lost in the crowd.
A big thanks to Bruno Fonseca, Vignesh Sadhasivam, Fabiana Vardaro, Yoshihiro Kono and Nigel Barklie for your input. The Spotlight Awards offer People & Lifestyle photographers invaluable visibility, connecting your work with top industry buyers and decision-makers. By showcasing your unique perspective and strong storytelling, you not only stand out in a competitive category but open doors to new opportunities. Make your submission memorable and elevate your visibility in the People & Lifestyle space. Enter here.
Want to get inspired? Look at the last eight winning images from 2018 until 2025 in this blog.
Header image by Annemarie Jung
